The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) has called on first lady Grace Mugabe to stop the violent eviction of villagers from Manzou and Arnold Farms in Mazowe. Grace is alleged to be evicting the villagers in order to expand her business empire.
Part of the report from the ZHRC reads:
The ZHRC notes that the relocation of people from Arnold Farm without suitable alternative land was not sanctioned by the courts as required by the law, and is, therefore, in violation of numerous rights.
In the course of the evictions, the rights to freedom from arbitrary evictions, education, health administrative justice [and] freedom of movement were chief among those negatively impacted.
It is worth noting that the issue of adequate compensation to the affected families continues to be a bone of contention, which State institutions involved in this exercise have not prioritised.
The State, when effecting evictions through its institutions, should ensure the evictees possess a degree of security of tenure, which guarantees legal protection against forced evictions, harassment and other threats,
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